Standards for Out-of-Hospital Administration Services

The Standards for Out-of-Hospital Transfusion Administration Services (OHTAS Standards) was prepared by the AABB Board of Directors, AABB staff and key volunteers from AABB’s Blood Banks/Transfusion Services Standards Committee. The goal of the OHTAS Standards is to maintain and enhance the quality and safety of services provided by out of hospital transfusion services (infusion centers, long term care facilities, hospice or home care settings) and to provide a basis for the accreditation by AABB.

Current edition: 1st edition
Effective date: July 1, 2018
Revision cycle: TBD

Acquiring Standards

The print version, Portal versions and bundle packages of the 1st edition of Standards for Out-of-Hospital Transfusion Administrative Services are available for purchase.

Accreditation Activities

As patient care moves toward more long-term care environments, the practice of transfusing blood products outside of the hospital is becoming increasingly common. AABB’s Standards for Out-of-Hospital Transfusion Administration Services and associated Accreditation activity were developed in response to demand from AABB membership and shifts in health care, which are driving new models for the delivery of care.

With our 65-year history in Accreditation, AABB is uniquely positioned to develop Standards and a related accreditation program for this activity. AABB accreditation for Out-of-Hospital Transfusion Services:

• Recognizes out-of-hospital transfusion service providers that are delivering high quality patient care in non-hospital settings.
• Supports the implementation of a quality system that promotes better communication between the transfusion service provider and blood centers.
• Describes required actions for outcomes reporting, traceability and responding to transfusion-associated adverse events.

Out-of-Hospital Transfusion Administration Standards and Accreditation ensure that patients receive the same standard of transfusion-related care and signal to blood suppliers that providers are familiar and able to meet AABB Standards.